Okay, I know it's been a while since I last updated, but I'm finally getting around to it. I thought I would have all the time in the world over spring break, but so far it's been nothing but rush rush rush. I also had this chapter all typed out, but I didn't like it so I deleted it. So, let's try this again, shall we?

Disclaimer: if you really want one, go back to the last chapter, 'cuz I feel too lazy to write another one.

For the Love of Snape

Chapter 4

Harry Potter was lying in a bed in the hospital wing, pretending to sleep as he waited for Dumbledore to leave. Really, why did he always have to screw up his plans? When did he do that, besides this time? a little voice in his head asked him. He tried to think of a time Dumbledore had ever messed up his plans and, not coming up with one, decided to sleep on it.

'Besides,' he thought to himself, 'I'll probably wake up sometime tonight with another nightmare, and I'll be able to finish then- no one will be there to stop me.'

* * *

Albus Dummbledore walked out of the hospital wing, completely unsurprised that Severus was at the door, waiting for him.

"How is he?"

"Just fine- he'll probably be able to leave by tomorrow afternoon."

"Where are you going to put him? I mean, you won't let him go back to those muggles he's been with, will you?"

"That will be decided tomorrow. Now, what were you going to tell me earlier?"

"Er… never mind."

"Alright, then. I'll be in my office if you need me."

Snape nodded. He wanted to visit Harry, but decided to wait until the boy was asleep so he wouldn't have to come up with an explanation as to why he was there if he woke up. He decided to take a walk to clear his head of old memories and come back later.

* * *

It was around eleven o'clock when Harry woke up with, as predicted, another nightmare. At least I didn't scream and wake up Madame Pomfrey. Quietly, he searched his pockets, and quickly found what he was looking for- his pocketknife.

He pulled the blade out, taking a moment to admire it in the candlelight. Completely consumed by it, he failed to notice it when a tall, pale figure slipped through the door silently. He brought it down, ready to begin, when a cold, slender hand wrapped itself around his wrist. He jumped- who would still be awake at this hour?

He looked up, and his knife fell to the floor as he held back a scream- it was Snape. The professor had an unreadable expression on his face, but Harry knew he was in big trouble this time.

"What are you doing here?" he asked coldly.

"I think that is for me to know and you to not find out. What are you doing?" Snape answered equally as coldly.

"Nothing."

"Oh really?" Snape answered, picking up the knife before continuing, "It looks to me as if you were trying to kill yourself. Again."

"So? What's it matter to you?" Harry asked him.

"I can't tell you- not now, anyway."

"Why not?"

"Because…" he paused, not sure of what to tell him, when it came to him, "you can't know right now." The potions master went over to the cupboard where the potions were stored and, after searching a bit for a Dreamless Sleep potion, poured some into a goblet, which he offered to the boy.

"What is it?"

"A Dreamless Sleep potion- I'm not going to risk this happening again."

After making sure the boy was really asleep, Severus wrote a note to Madame Pomfrey, telling her what had happened, and that he had given him a potion. Then he left the wing to deal with other things.

* * *

Professor Albus Dumbledore was in his office, writing a letter to a former student, when he heard a knock at the door.

"Come in, Severus."

Snape walked in and took a seat in the chair in front of the old wizard's desk. He took a pocketknife from his pocket and laid it on the desk. At the headmaster's confused look, he said, "He tried it again, Professor, just now. I walked in on him and was there in time to stop it, but next time we might not be so lucky."

"I know. I didn't think to check if he had anything and obviously, Pomfrey didn't either. Where is he now?"

"In the hospital wing still. I gave him a Dreamless Sleep potion- let's hope he stays asleep or else doesn't have anything else, shall we?"

"I've got a better idea- how about you stay up with him tonight and make sure he doesn't try it again?"

He opened his mouth to object, but closed it again when Albus gave him a look that said 'That's an order, not an option'

"Yes Albus." With that, he got up and walked out the door and back where he started- the Hospital wing.

* * *

A/N: Another chapter, done. If Harry seems out-of-character, just assume it's because he's depressed, okay? Next chapter- Harry finds out the Dursleys aren't his only relatives and Severus talks with his twin brother.

Till next chapter- V.M.